Laying the Contrail

I can remember when the term blog was not one that everyone recognized. (Does that “label me” un-cool?) To date, I find myself wondering if it has ever been defined accurately, so I looked it up on that accurate and exact authority—the Web. Here’s what I found:

A regularly updated web page, typically run by an individual or small group, that is written in an informal or conversational style. ..

A website containing a writer’s or group of writers’ own experiences, observations, opinions, etc., and often having images and links to other websites.

It seems to me that some bloggers have few parameters where the subject of their blog is concerned. Maybe they don’t need a definition, but my reading time is limited—it’s disappointing when I invest myself in words that have no relevance to the subject I chose. Then it occurred to me that I might be guilty of the same.

My gig is “positive words”—too broad and indefinite. A universe of positive words lives beyond the stratosphere; I have no excuse not to leave a contrail to my destination so that readers can predict where a journey with me will take them. This particular blog sets out to do exactly that.

I raised multiple children—some of my own and some of other peoples. For twenty-four years I ran a private children’s academy with the highest academic aspirations, and I founded and mentored a character and leadership group for teens. The common thread is the process of training—not only heads, but muscle memory and hearts. As I think about it, all that I’ve done and tried is much more about training hearts than anything else.

In the new field of neurocardiology scientists have discovered an intrinsic nervous system within the heart—a network of nerves they describe as the “heart brain.” It has 40,000 neurons and allows the heart to sense and process information, make decisions, and demonstrate learning and memory. Researchers have also found a gland in the heart that produces hormones and neurotransmitters that affect brain and body function. One of these is oxytocin—known as the “love hormone.” There is evidence that the information in the heart’s electromagnetic field may play a role in synchronizing the body—to the point that it affects others around us. Read more here.

So… from science-based research like this, from scripture ( i.e. Jer. 3:17; Matt 5:8), and from life experience, I can only conclude that the heart is cognitive and, therefore, makes decisions.

There is much more to explore and learn, but, just as my life has followed this path, so will my blog: the training of hearts. All ages. All kinds. I will emphasize green hearts most often because the less seasoned the individual, the more flexible, but my word journey will touch upon every season and reason that I’ve known and how to condition the best heart for God and life on this earth.

I have no desire to spit out blogs about the heart’s taming, civilizing or rationalizing, and I don’t necessarily want to write about happy hearts. I’m looking at this amazing center within us, for ways to fashion its strength and compassion, the core that we wish for our children, our partners and ourselves.

In writing and life, I seek the thinking heart that chooses wisely.

I’m looking at this amazing center within us, for ways to fashion its strength and compassion, the core that we wish for our children, our partners and ourselves.